King Uparicharavasi was a great Vishnu devotee. He ruled the world according to Vaishana dharma. He possessed one-pointed devotion to Lord Vishnu. He worshipped the 'Yagnaswaroopa' Bhagavãn with 'Prodosha Yagna'. Bound by his devotion the omnipotent Bhagavãn blessed the King with his darshan with Shanka, Chakra, Gadadhara in the 'Yagna Agni'. Enamored by this darshan the King sang the praises of the Lord in innumerable ways.

The Munis and the Vedic Brahmins who participated in the Yagna said to the King, "We cannot accept your words. How could Bhagavãn appear before you while we who know the Vedas, the Munis who perform tapas with deep control of the mind are unable to see Him? Either you are bluffing or you are suffering from hallucinations."

Bhagavãn, without being visible to the Vedic Brahmins and the Munis, spoke in their hearing, "I am not attainable either through Yoga or Tapas or fasts or Vaidihic karmas. I can be bound only by devotion! Everyone who performs virtuous deeds receives its fruits. But my darshan is only for my devotees! All of you here do not posses this sort of devotion. But this King is a great devotee of mine. Therefore, he received my darshan. Since you do not possess such devotion you have not been blessed with my darshan". And Bhagavãn disappeared.

Hearing the Lord's words all the Brahmins and Munis praised the king. On completion of the Yagna the King had darshan of all the Devas. The Devas blessed the king with a 'Vimãna' (vehicle) that could travel in the sky.

The King traveled all over in this 'Vimãna'. By the grace of Lord Vishnu he was victorious wherever he went. Once when he was traveling in this 'Vimãna' it stopped suddenly. Surprised, he brought the 'Vimãna' to the ground and had darshan of Ãmaruviyappan.

Seeing the dark, lotus-eyed cowherd worshipped by the Devas and the Asuras, wandering on the banks of the Cauvery, the King prostrated to Him and asked Him, "Gopala! What is the reason for your leaving the banks of the Yamuna and coming to Cauvery in this form of a cowherd?" Bhagavãn explained, "Once Lord Parameswara performed tapas in Kailas with a desire to see me. While Lord Siva was seated in Padmãsana with eyes closed in tapas His consort Umadevi approached him from behind and playfully closed his eyes. Enraged by this, Rudra (Lord Siva) cursed the Devi, "You are Vishnu Maya. An ignorant cow. Therefore, a cow shall you become. With the grace of Govinda you will return to me!"

Cursed thus the Devi had turned into a cow and is on the banks of the Cauvery. I, therefore, immediately came here as Gopala to graze the cow. To see me graze the cow who is none but my sister, Lord Siva came over. He was very happy to see me. Cured of the curse the Devi went back to Kailas with Lord Siva. Oh! King! I have blessed you with my darshan and have also explained the reason of my coming here. As long as the Sun and the Moon shine on this earth I will give darshan in 'archãvatirumeni' (in the form of idol/deity). Build a temple for me here and make arrangements to conduct 'utsavas' for me here." Thus Bhagavãn instructed the King. The King, too, joyfully carried out the instructions of Bhagavãn.

Anyone who worships this Ãmaruviyappan (who is none other than Gopala), with devotion, shall never face defeat anywhere and at any other's hands. The name of this Kshetra is Therazhundur.

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